PAX East 2016: Livelock, ready to lock n load!

Livelock is a co-op top down shooter with a splash of the holy trinity class system. This team based shooter is from Tuque Games and is published by Perfect World who mainly does free to play mmo type games. This had me thinking “another free to play online shooter?” I was glad to find out that this is not the case. It will be a full on buy to play game that is PVE only for now. The game is expected to release in 2016 on PS4, Xbox One and PC. What separates Livelock from other top down shooters? It’s the fast space co-op that has a high skill cap and requires team work.

Gameplay

TANKING? I LOVE TANKING!

I was intrigued when I found out that on Livelock there are characters that are class based. I was able to test out the Vanguard at PAX East 2016 and boy was it fun. Vanguard is a tank class that wields explosive weapons as well as an awesome anvil which is basically an oversized axe, and we all know how much I love axes! I can basically run around saying “AND MY AXE” now as poorly timed Gimli would. Enough of that but being able to spin to win with the anvil is so fun. There is something so satisfying about a machine wrecking things with melee weapons (I need more of Pacific Rim, Zone of the Enders and Gurren Lagann). Also Vanguard has a taunt, YES A TAUNT! When was the last time you played a team base shooter with someone that has a taunt to force focus target on you?! I can see how this game has a high skill cap. I used taunt at first without expecting the outcome and was nearly blown up. I am thankful to my amazing support that kept me alive. Planning out with your team when to use taunt and throw out some defensive skills will be crucial to gameplay. All skills have cool downs and weapons have ammo so it’s important to know when to use what.

MsSebie played as Catalyst and this is her words on the gameplay for it: “Playing as a catalyst was a lot of fun. As the support/healer class, my job was to ensure my teammates didn’t die. By beaming my laser on them, their HP recovered. My two special abilities included an AOE heal and a massive frontal attack. That being said, it was difficult managing ammo since I would often beam my laser at enemies when my teammates were at full health.” Unfortuntely we were unable to play as HEX which is the DPS class, but I can see how amazing the game can be with some team work. Imagine this, Vanguard running into a room with tons of alien insects. He begins by using Countermeasures (taunt) and throws up a reflection array (shield). Then he runs around to group up the enemies as Catalyst heals the everyone and then finally HEX calls in an Orbital Strike. That’s just one beautiful scene filled with alien insect bits and pieces.

There are points in the map where one class role is more important than others, this is to make the person who plays that class step up and learn to play their role. For example, there would be parts where you would need to kill enemies as soon as possible (Hex’s role will shine here) or others where a large amount of enemies’ will march upon you. The Vanguard’s role is to taunt and shield up or if there is just too much crap going on and HP bars are dropping faster than fat kids after PE class, Catalyst will come in and save the day with cakes, I mean heals. Don’t worry though there is no class lock in Livelock. You can go in with 3 Vanguards and spin2win everything. Yup, you heard it. It may be more difficult and no heals but I’m sure you guys can figure out a way.

It seems that teamwork is important in this game. There is local or online co-op so that will make teaming up with your friends easier. Of course with all the hard work it’ll pay off. The Carbon currency you pick up will allow you to upgrade your weapons and skills. There will also be cosmetic upgrades as well! It’ll be awesome if Perfect World can do a collaboration with BANDAI to get some Gundam cosmetics! Or even team up with Guillermo Del Toro to get some Jaegers cosmetic (as a DLC) to help promote his maybe future Pacific Rim 2 – I would totally buy it! Also a Kaiju as a boss?! Now we’re talking. Now if cross platform will be implemented that would be amazing!

There will be a campaign mode that you can team up with 2 other friends or AI. It’ll be easy to get a game started, just join lobby and use the match maker system and bam, you’re in game! There will be 25 different type of enemies and 3 bosses total for now. The end game is basically survival mode and earn phat loots!

Graphic

The graphic is pretty good in this game, drawing style fits with the post human mechanic world. There is minor environment destruction so that is a plus. I just wish it would be like full on total destruction like good ol Battlefield Bad Company 2. The skill and special effect looks amazing.

Here is an example of when Vanguard uses Countermeasures (taunt)

The lighting system in this game is pretty as well, as you can see here in HEX’s Orbital Strike the light reflects off the vehicle as well as casting shadow off the rocks.

I look forward to be playing this game in its full release state to fight against different type of enemies with unique AI as well as in different map setting. Livelock is definitely a game that Senpai should notice! It’ll be shipping in later on in 2016 filled with awesome PVE experience, if its a huge success then maybe PVP will be added in the future!

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